Elvis Costello, 'My Aim Is True' (1977): He's released many albums since but none match the spark of his first, which features some of his best known hits and Huey Lewis' backing band, Clover. less

Elvis Costello, 'My Aim Is True' (1977): He's released many albums since but none match the spark of his first, which features some of his best known hits and Huey Lewis' backing band, ... more

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Run-D.M.C., 'Run-D.M.C.' (1984): The album that demanded hip-hop be taken seriously by shifting the focus away from novelty singles.

Run-D.M.C., 'Run-D.M.C.' (1984): The album that demanded hip-hop be taken seriously by shifting the focus away from novelty singles.

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Arcade Fire, 'Funeral' (2005): The Montreal band's kitchen-sink concept album on love and loss still thrills, revealing new delights with every turn.

Arcade Fire, 'Funeral' (2005): The Montreal band's kitchen-sink concept album on love and loss still thrills, revealing new delights with every turn.

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Sade, 'Diamond Life' (1984): The opening track, "Smooth Operator," served as the singer's calling card. She brought sophistication and elegance to waiting rooms and elevators.

Sade, 'Diamond Life' (1984): The opening track, "Smooth Operator," served as the singer's calling card. She brought sophistication and elegance to waiting rooms and elevators.

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The Who, "The Who Sings My Generation" (1965): An introduction worthy of the band's well-dressed wallop and guitar swinging antics.

The Who, "The Who Sings My Generation" (1965): An introduction worthy of the band's well-dressed wallop and guitar swinging antics.

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Lauryn Hill, 'The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill' (1998): The ex-Fugee poured everything she had into this sweeping mission statement and never fully recovered from its success.

Lauryn Hill, 'The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill' (1998): The ex-Fugee poured everything she had into this sweeping mission statement and never fully recovered from its success.

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Metallica, 'Kill 'Em All' (1983): A terrifying introduction from the original lineup, the record gave heavy metal weight in an era of fluff.

Metallica, 'Kill 'Em All' (1983): A terrifying introduction from the original lineup, the record gave heavy metal weight in an era of fluff.

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Adele, '19' (2008): There was no "Rolling In The Deep" but the young singer's first album offered more subtle delights in its broken ballads and contemplative pop moments.

Adele, '19' (2008): There was no "Rolling In The Deep" but the young singer's first album offered more subtle delights in its broken ballads and contemplative pop moments.

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Devo, 'Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!?' (1978): They came from Akron, OH, wore flower pots on their heads and made new-wave sound enticing.

Devo, 'Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!?' (1978): They came from Akron, OH, wore flower pots on their heads and made new-wave sound enticing.

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Bon Iver, 'For Emma, Forever Ago' (2008): A heartbroken Justin Vernon locked himself in a cabin in the woods for four months and emerged with this intimate, aching set.

Bon Iver, 'For Emma, Forever Ago' (2008): A heartbroken Justin Vernon locked himself in a cabin in the woods for four months and emerged with this intimate, aching set.

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Wu-Tang Clan, 'Enter The Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers' (1993): The kung fu movie sound effects were nice but the nine-man band was a force to reckon with.

Wu-Tang Clan, 'Enter The Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers' (1993): The kung fu movie sound effects were nice but the nine-man band was a force to reckon with.

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R.E.M., 'Murmur' (1983): The jangling guitars, Michael Stipe's mumbled vocals, the romantic imagery. The template for college radio in the '80s was set.

R.E.M., 'Murmur' (1983): The jangling guitars, Michael Stipe's mumbled vocals, the romantic imagery. The template for college radio in the '80s was set.

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Van Halen, 'Van Halen' (1978): Long before the drama took over it was all about the fantastic riffs and crazy frontman who was "Runnin' With the Devil."

Van Halen, 'Van Halen' (1978): Long before the drama took over it was all about the fantastic riffs and crazy frontman who was "Runnin' With the Devil."

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Oasis, 'Definitely Maybe' (1994): Cribbing liberally from rock's greats these British numbskulls managed to come up with a confident album to make their heroes proud.

Oasis, 'Definitely Maybe' (1994): Cribbing liberally from rock's greats these British numbskulls managed to come up with a confident album to make their heroes proud.

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Led Zeppelin, 'Led Zeppelin I' (1969): The first taste of raw power as channeled by firebrand guitarist Jimmy Page and howling blues disciple Robert Plant.

Led Zeppelin, 'Led Zeppelin I' (1969): The first taste of raw power as channeled by firebrand guitarist Jimmy Page and howling blues disciple Robert Plant.

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Are these the best debut albums of all time?

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It took years for beloved rock and roll icons like the Beatles, Radiohead and Bob Dylan to find their footing and deliver classic albums. But there are a handful of artists who managed to pull it off their first time out. When Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day (another band of late bloomers) inducted Guns N’ Roses into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame earlier this year, he declared, “‘Appetite for Destruction’ is the best debut album in the history of rock and roll.” We pick some other solid contenders for the crown in our gallery (which goes a bit beyond rock and roll). Now we want to hear from you. What do you think is the greatest first album of all time?